The Water of Life and Other Sermons

y cannot analyse, powers which they cannot employ, duties which they cannot perform, doctrinal confusions which they cannot unravel; who would welcome any change, even the most tremendous, which would make them nobler, purer, juster, more loving, more useful, more clear- headed and sound-minded; and when they think of death say with the poet, -

''Tis life, not death for which I pant, 'Tis life, whereof my nerves are scant, More life, and fuller, that I want.'

To them I say--for God has said it long ago,--Be of good cheer. The calling and gifts of God are without repentance. If you have the divine thirst, it will be surely satisfied. If you long to be better men and women, better men and women you will surely be. Only be true to those higher instincts; only do not learn to despise and quench that divine thirst; only struggle on, in spite of mistakes, of failures, even of sins--for every one of which last your heavenly Father will chastise you, even while He forgives; in spite of all falls, strugg